A sincere thank you to all who attended BCG’s Main Field Day. The day is always a cornerstone event for our group, and this year it was particularly rewarding to see so many members of the community come together. Standing alongside fellow farmers, researchers, and industry partners reminds us that no one faces the season alone. The conversations held in the paddock – from crop performance to technology, herbicide techniques to decision making – are the kinds that set us up for the decisions we’ll all be making in the months ahead.
It was also a privilege to celebrate the achievements of the Hunt family, presenting BCG life memberships to Geoff and Bronwyn Hunt, and the Harm van Rees award to James Hunt. The Hunt family has given so much to BCG – from Geoff and Bronwyn’s leadership in our formative years, to James’s contribution as both a researcher and communicator. Together, they embody the values that have made BCG what it is today: curiosity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving farming for all.
Since then, attention has shifted quickly towards the pointy end of the season. Many across the region are cutting hay. Crops are heading and flowering, and with that comes both excitement and risk. We know how much rides on the next few weeks: the timing of rainfall, the severity of frost events, and the conditions leading into harvest. This balance between opportunity and uncertainty is something we know well in agriculture, but it never gets easier. We put everything into planning, preparing, and nurturing, but ultimately, we must hold steady in the face of uncertainty.
One of the key strengths of BCG is our ability to bring research and discussion from our Main Field Day straight back into practical decision-making. Our team are busy reviewing what was discussed on the day to guide future opportunities for learning and growth. I invite you to complete this survey to provide our team with your feedback from the day. Your thoughts are valuable to us and continue to inform future events.
As we head into harvest, I encourage everyone to keep those conversations going – whether with neighbours, researchers, or advisors. Main Field Day was a reminder of just how powerful shared knowledge can be, and how much stronger we are when we’re working together.
Thank you again for your support and engagement. I look forward to seeing how the season unfolds and to the discussions still to come as we close out another year of farming together.
Warm regards,
John Ferrier
Chair, Birchip Cropping Group
